MSRTC removes 1,148 daily wagers

PUNE: The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has fired 1,148 of its daily wagers across the state for going on a strike in June demanding a hike in salaries.


Sources in the corporation said actions such as suspension or salary cuts could be taken against the permanent employees who were part of the strike.

MSRTC assistant public relations officer Abhijeet Bhosale said, “The daily wagers were terminated because they took part in the strike earlier this month and also indulged in violence.”

MSRTC Pune divisional controller Yamini Joshi altogether 18 employees from the division have been removed from the work. “This will not affect the operations of the MSRTC,” the official told TOI.

An official said though the action will be decided at the MSRTC HQ in Mumbai, the employees found at fault can face a 14-day salary cut next month as punishment. “Some of them can be suspended too. This can trigger another wave of protests,” the official said.

Sources said the transport body chose to take action against the daily wagers first as removing them was easy. “Removing the permanent employees or those working on the contractual basis involves a long process. There has to be a proper inquiry, followed by a charge sheet,” an official said.

The staffers had on June 8 gone on a strike seeking a raise in accordance with the 7th Pay Commission. They called off the strike on June 9. Thousands were stranded and MSRTC suffered financial losses.

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